Health Insurance

The College is required by law to provide health insurance for all students enrolled at least 75% full-time.

Matriculated undergraduates enrolled for fewer than 12 credits and matriculated graduates enrolled for fewer than 8 credits who desire health insurance must submit a written request for coverage with payment to the Student Service Center, located at 80 Boylston Street, First Floor.

Health insurance charges are automatically removed when undergraduate and graduate students initially enrolled at 75% full-time or above drop to fewer than 12 or 8 credits, respectively. These students must also submit a written request for coverage with payment.

Coverage Period

Coverage, effective September 1 through August 31, is provided under a blanket policy issued to Emerson College. Coverage is effective January 1 for newly enrolled spring semester students. The policy is underwritten by Aetna Insurance Company and administered by The Aetna Student Health group. For complete details on the policy, please visit Aetna Student Health.

Waiving Health Insurance

Undergraduate and graduate students may waive the Health Insurance Fee by submitting written proof of comparable coverage by the designated deadline. Waivers are available online beginning the first week of July. An insurance waiver must be completed at the start of each academic year for continued exemption.

Check your account online, to see if your insurance has been waived »

Contact the Student Service Center at 617-824-8655 if you have trouble accessing the waiver.

• Health Insurance Waiver: Online Form

The option to waive health insurance will be void after the first 10 days of classes for the semester you're enrolled. Students who use their Emerson-provided health insurance before attempting to waive it are not eligible to waive.

Loss of Coverage Regulations

Because Massachusetts state law requires any student participating in at least 75% of the full-time curriculum to have continuous medical insurance, Emerson is responsible for ensuring its students have continuous medical coverage.

If a student waives insurance at the beginning of an academic year, then loses coverage, he or she must notify Student Accounts via email to purchase health insurance through Emerson. Prorated plans are available.

International Students

Massachusetts regulation does not consider insurance carriers outside of the United States or coverage by foreign national health service programs comparable to a qualifying student health insurance program.

International students may choose to waive the Emerson College health insurance plan if they have alternate health insurance with a U.S.-based carrier that meets Commonwealth of Massachusetts QSHIP standards. If you are already covered by a U.S.-based insurance carrier and you have ascertained that your coverage is comparable, you have the right to waive the required student insurance by the end of the first 10 days of classes for the semester you are enrolled in. Fulbright students enrolled in a health insurance plan through the U.S. Department of State should note the plan’s limitations before considering whether to waive the Emerson College health insurance plan. For information on this health benefit plan, please go to: http://www.usdos.sevencorners.com.

Massachusetts Health Care Reform Law

The new Health Care Reform Law requires all Massachusetts residents (18 and older) to be enrolled in an insurance program. The Massachusetts Health & Human Services website provides clarification of the requirements as they apply to Emerson College students.